Regency Personalities Series-Sir John McMahon

Regency Personalities Series
In my attempts to provide us with the details of the Regency, today I continue with one of the many period notables.

Sir John McMahon
1754 – 12 September 1817

Sir John McMahon

He was born in Limerick, son of John MacMahon, comptroller of the port of Limerick; little is known of his mother. By his second wife, Mary Stackpoole his father has two other sons William and Thomas, who achieved distinction.

McMahon was commissioned into the 44th Foot, and later transferred to the 48th Foot and the 87th Foot. He served as a Member of Parliament for Aldeburgh from 1802 to 1812. He was Paymaster of Widows Pensions in 1812. He was Keeper of the Privy Purse, Auditor of the Duchy of Cornwall, and Secretary to the Duke of Cornwall (the Crown Prince, later George IV). A proposal that he receive a salary of £2,000 as Private Secretary was rejected by Parliament in 1812.

McMahon was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1812, and died in 1817, having been made a Baronet shortly before his death. He was succeeded in the baronetcy according to a special remainder by his brother General Thomas McMahon. He undoubtedly used his position to benefit his family: his half-brother William MacMahon obtained the coveted judicial office of Master of the Rolls in Ireland, although in the event he proved to be a popular and respected choice.